Sadly Over-hyped

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

I found this movie very boring. Slow on the suspense with maybe a couple of good actors waisted in their roles. Notablly, William Daniels and Salome Jens whom I have always respected in their work. But not even their presence helped this loser. It seems impossible that any town anywhere could get away with what this town does. And why would anyone wish to remain if it did. Chalk it up to stupidity and/or ignorance on their part.The two leads seemed to be walking through the movie. Both Cortese and Russell, looking very attractive, gave a two level performance. Their faces never seemed to change expression throughout the film. They just stare at each other. I guess you blame the director for that. Miss Russell is eye fetching, but not an actress. Mr. Cortese, also eye fetching, is rather one level. He runs good.INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS was better. Don't waste your time. 2 stars for Daniels and Jens' courage to make this chestnut.

Well, the fact is that this film surprised me. I was 12 years old when i saw it, and I can tell that the story is good and different. Despite that is a TV movie, and the cast crew is medium-low actors, the film is good. I recommend it! Besides, it also was interesting for me because the date of the tombs its my birthday! The best scene is the moment in which people of the village start to throw the stones to the "chosen" by lottery, though is so predictable who it was to be chosen. (The girl , daugther of major of the town, or her mother). It was a critic for the attitude of the village town: how could it possible to allow this kind of events? Its inhuman act !!! Thanks heavens that is a film!!!

Well it scored a 7/10 from me for making me jump near the end.9 times out of 10 horror or scary movies, just don't scare me... Movies on the other hand that are subtle and less up front about their content scare me more where it's left for you to think what happens. I find them more effective. Anyone agree here? I think it was on Monday this week because I had taped it but not gotten around to watching it, but it was a movie called "The Lottery" and the premise of the movie is that there is this small town in middle America where they have an annual lottery and the person that gets that one special ticket has the "treat" of the whole town stoning them to death. The problem with this premise being that a newcomer comes to this town and finds the grave of his mother and several other people. The catch is that the dates on all the headstones were the same date and we even get to see him being almost forced into this town's ritual as they all gather at the lottery drawing. He arrived during the lottery period. Anyway they show us the effects of the stoning by having a lady cast as the unhappy victim and even show her being stoned, first knocked to the ground by a hit to the head, then a succession of other stones all over her body. That was right near the end of the movie too. He escapes the town only to bring back a disbelieving state trooper and other official but can't prove anything. The movie ends with him back in this office outside of the town and a doctor interviewing him. Then you hear a strange voice in the background say "never tell him the truth"..... The movie then ends....

This current day (90ish) version of "The Lottery" doesn't do the original (1948) short story by Shirley Jackson justice. However it is an interesting modernized version of the short story, with a modern day twist. For anyone who hasn't read "The Lottery" it's a great short story. It starts off as a pleasant story which could have taken place in any century. Once she has you hooked, the story takes an unexpected turn. If you like Edgar Allan Poe, you'll really enjoy Shirley Jackson's original story "The Lottery". Originally published in the June 28, 1948 issue of the New Yorker.